New fall shows emphasize family life, nostalgia

Family life and bittersweet nostalgia are unmistakable themes in the 2002-03 fall TV lineup as broadcast networks try to strike a reassuring chord with audiences.

Among the 34 new series the six major networks are introducing, there are 16 family sitcoms and dramas occupying airtime previously devoted to comedies about cute, self-absorbed singles.

The rigid network focus on young adult viewers is, if not out, softened; programs designed to draw family audiences, once a TV staple, are again a key part of the mix.

The emphasis is a reaction to the terrorism of a year ago, say industry experts.

"A good portion of the schedule is made up of shows that can be traced back to the aftershock of 9-11," said Stacey Lynn Koerner, a TV analyst for Initiative Media.

"Maybe they think the Ameri can public wants to go back in time," said analyst Roy Rothstein of Zenith Media Services Inc.

Old TV friends including Carol Burnett proved ratings stars when a flood of backward-looking specials aired dur ing the 2001-02 season. And MTV's "The Osbournes" was a loud signal that multigenerational family shows could work. Network executives took the hints.

There are new versions afoot of the classic anthology series "The Twilight Zone" and the cheery sitcom "Family Affair," while Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" is the inspiration for a 1960s-era family drama.

The past is also the setting for two similar shows set in the 1980s, "That Was Then" and "Do Over," in which discontented men get the chance to relive their youth.

Can an 7-8 p.m. daily sitcom "happy hour" bring a smile to ABC, trying to rebound after a dismal performance last season? The network hopes a renewed emphasis on family viewing and the introduction of three sitcoms and four dramas will turn its fortunes around.

Three new shows will bow Tuesday, Sept. 17, including two comedies and a sneak peak at the drama-cum-contest show "Push, Nevada."

"8 Simple Rules ..." stars John Ritter as a dad who lays down the dating law when it comes to his sexy teen-age daughters  or tries to. Katey Sagal (of "Married ... With Children") co-stars in the sitcom airing at 7 p.m.

In "Life with Bonnie," at 7:30 p.m., Bonnie Hunt plays a morning TV show host juggling job, kids and husband with wit if not success. The comedy moves to its regular 8 p.m. Tuesday slot Oct. 1.

"Push, Nevada" has a preview at 8 p.m. Sept. 17, moving to its regular time slot 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19. The Ben Affleck-produced series combines a casino-heist plot with a $1 million viewers' prize.

HMO physicians are the heroes in "MDs," which stars William Fichtner and John Hannah as brash docs who delight in bending company rules . The drama premieres 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25.

In the drama "That Was Then," debuting 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, unhappy grown-up Travis Green (James Bulliard) wakes up as a teen-ager with a chance to get things right for himself and others.

"Dinotopia," debuting 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, continues the miniseries saga about a world in which people and dinosaurs enjoy the harmony that generally eludes people minus dinosaurs.

David Letterman is writ large in CBS prime time. The network is trying to deliver on its promise of stronger "Late Show" lead-ins with five new dramas. CBS, which is also adding two sitcoms, is once again front-runner NBC's top competitor.

The heat is up and so is the humidity as "CSI: Miami" debuts 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23. Onetime "NYPD Blue" star David Caruso is in charge in this "CSI" spinoff, backed by Khandi Alexander, Emily Procter and Kim Delaney. Who could complain?

Mark Addy ("The Full Mon ty") and Jami Gertz play a blue-collar Chicago couple trying to keep the spark alive after 15 years of marriage in "Still Standing." It bows 8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30.

"Bram and Alice," debuting 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, stars Alfred Molina as a crusty novelist who's lost touch with his muse and Traylor Howard as a fan who discovers her literary hero is also her dad.

Facing a double whammy  last season's end of trademark series "The X-Files" and "Ally McBeal," plus sagging ratings  Fox is counting on four dramas and three comedies for triage. In a scheduling twist, the network is competing for Sunday viewers with sitcoms instead of the standard dramas.

Two series debut Wednesday, Sept. 18. "Cedric The Enter tain er Presents," at 7:30 p.m., showcases the comedian and his alter egos.

Undercover cops take a walk on the wild side among Los Angeles lowlifes in "Fastlane," airing at 8 p.m.

"The Grubbs," debuting 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, stars Randy Quaid as the head of a proudly underachieving family and Michael Cera as the teen son who dreams for more.

The No. 1 network knows to leave well enough alone. NBC is introducing just five new shows, a trio of comedies and two dramas, and leaving four nights (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) unchanged as it savors what is expected to be the last year of its anchor sitcom, "Friends."

Two comedies bow Tuesday, Sept. 24. In "In-Laws" (7 p.m.), newlyweds Matt and Alex (Elon Gold and Bonnie Somerville) move in with her parents and find the digs come at a price.

Debuting at 8:30 p.m. is "Hidden Hills," which promised to explore suburbia's "wild, sexy and funny side" through two couples played by Justin Louis, Paula Marshall, Dondre T. Whitfield and Tamara Taylor.

Two dramas bow Sunday, Sept. 29. The '60s are the setting and "American Band stand" is the inspiration for "American Dreams," about teens angling to dance on the show and encountering social change, too. It airs at 7 p.m.

"Boomtown," debuting at 9 p.m., tracks L.A. life through the experiences of police, paramedics, reporters and city officials. Donnie Wahlberg, once a member of New Kids on the Block, plays a burned-out cop.

The network is entering the Twilight Zone and summoning ghosts in a bid to expand its young-adult audience. Two new dramas  and a new comedy  will fit into UPN's pattern of mostly black sitcoms on Monday, sci-fi at midweek, Thursday wrestling and movies on Fridays.

"The Twilight Zone," a revamped version of the Rod Serling series, debuts 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, with Jason Alexander among the first guest stars.

Two half-sisters (Rachel True, Essence Atkins) raised in different homes discover each other and sisterhood in the comedy "Half and Half," starting 8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23.

"Haunted," airing 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, stars Matthew Fox as a police detective trying to rebound as a private eye after a family tragedy.